An Important Ayurvedic Medicinal Herb Argyreia speciose (Vidhara): A Review

The bioactive components and other natural substances present in herbal plants play a significant role in maintaining health. In the current scenario, various researchers and scientists are taking more interest in herbal plants to identify the immense potential of these plants used in multiple medicinal systems to treat several diseases. Argyreia speciosa is an important medicinal herb which is known as Vidhara in Hindi, Vridhadaru in Sanskrit and Hawaiian Baby wood rose or Elephant creeper in English. The plant is mainly distributed in the tropical regions of the world. In the ayurvedic medicinal system, this plant is used in many formulations to treat a vast array of human ailments. The plant is also well-considered in many folklore cultures around the world. The main active constituent present in the plant is ergoline alkaloids which carry great therapeutic potential. In the traditional medicinal system, A. nervosa is mainly used to treat sexual disorders, skin disorders, nootropics, ulcers, gonorrhoea, diabetes, etc. In addition, the seeds of this plant are hallucinogenic. The therapeutic properties of this plant include antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, hepatoprotective and aphrodisiac. The medicinal usage of the A. speciosa plant in the ayurvedic and folklore culture, along with its pharmacological properties, is well described in the current review article.